It's never quiet as it seems, 'cause you're a dream to me

Listening: The Cranberries, "Dreams"


These arms belong to Casey. There have been a lot of days lately when I wonder what it will be like to be without her in my immediate environment. I try hard not to have those days. Unfortunately, moving will make this a reality for both of us. I really do believe that one day soon she and I will share the same city again, barreling down unfamiliar streets, discovering more "Little Saigons," learning more Jay-Z lyrics, fretting over what to cook for pot luck dinners. Casey has been the constant in my life since arriving in Portland. We separately planned to move here and somehow ended up here on the same day. Since January 1st, 2007, my life has changed for the better. I have learned so much about having adult friendships and it's due to my relationship with her. I have learned how to unabashedly say "I love you" and enjoy the embraces, the joyful grins shared over pretty drinks.

Friendship isn't the only gift Casey has given me. She's also shown me new ways to look at the world around me. While we both work in jobs that focus on education, we have different perspectives, a varying scope. Casey charges into the world with a roar, photographing, writing, reporting: this is the world to which you should focus your attention. She is going to shake the journalism world up more than she already has. Casey made a magnificent impact on the readership of the New York Times with her reporting from Africa. Rather than present yet another story full of anonymous statistics and incomprehensible disease names, Casey gave us heart, she showed us the people by relaying the plight of a woman named Prudence. Now she pours her heart and soul into stories about teenagers in Oregon, the entrepreneurs of their generation, the artists to watch and learn from, the struggles we forget about as adults outside their world.

I cannot wait to see the roads she'll take us on.
She's amazing and kind and so, so lovely. (thank you, thank you, thank you)
I'm so blessed to call her my B.

Watch her jumpstart.